Object d'art - French antique Victorian object depicting Aesops fable

This 18k yellow gold & silver Victorian Decorative Arts piece can also be worn as a ring. It features a meticulously detailed
stork clasping something in its claws and is not only intriguing but also masterfully crafted. The item being clasped turns out
to be a long necked jar crafted from a giant natural baroque pearl similar in size to those highlighted in many royal jewels!
Three other small gems in the piece include: a seed pearl, an onyx and a turquoise. The stork is fashioned from & engraved in
silver; embellished with gold accents on the beak, claws, wings and tail. Source of inspiration: Aesop's fable- ‘The fox and
the stork’ – Made in France – Dimensions: 3.72cm (1.46 in) – Weight: 17.30g – Circa 1850-1870 – Excellent condition.

Besides the intruiging subject of a bird holding something in its claws, it turns out that this "something" happens to be a huge
natural baroque pearl.
Pearls of this size have been subject to admiration over centuries and can be found in many royal pieces!

We hope you will enjoy looking and learning about this piece as much as we did!

Master goldsmith: Although we couldn't find any master mark in the stork, it is because of the level of craftmanship that we think that this could have been made
by the house Froment-Meurice.

Style:
Victorian - Victorian decorative arts refers to the style of decorative arts during the Victorian era. The Victorian era is known for its eclectic revival and interpretation of historic styles and the introduction of cross-cultural influences from the
middle east and Asia in furniture, fittings, and Interior decoration. Victorian design is widely viewed as having indulged in a regrettable excess of ornament. The Arts and Crafts movement, the aesthetic movement, Anglo-Japanese style, and Art Nouveau
style have their beginnings in the late Victorian era. - See also: Victorian
or more info on styles

Source of inspiration: Aesop's fable: "The fox and the stork".

Aesop's fable: "The Fox and the Stork":
At one time the Fox and the Stork were on visiting terms and seemed very good friends. So the Fox invited the Stork to dinner,
and for a joke put nothing before her but some soup in a very shallow dish. This the Fox could easily lap up, but the Stork could only wet the end
of her long bill in it, and left the meal as hungry as when she began.

"I am sorry," said the Fox, "the soup is not to your liking."
"Pray do not apologize," said the Stork. "I hope you will return this visit, and come and dine with me soon."

So a day was appointed when the Fox should visit the Stork; but when they were seated at table all that was for their dinner was contained in a
very long-necked jar with a narrow mouth, in which the Fox could not insert his snout, so all he could manage to do was to lick the outside of the
jar.

"I will not apologize for the dinner," said the Stork:
"One bad turn deserves another."

More background information on Aesop
- Aesop (c. 620–564 BC) was a fabulist or story teller credited with a number of fables now collectively known as Aesop's
Fables. Although his existence remains uncertain and (if they ever existed) no writings by him survive, numerous tales credited to him were gathered
across the centuries and in many languages in a storytelling tradition that continues to this day. In many of the tales, animals speak and have
human characteristics. (from: Wikipedia)

Theme: The stork holding and eating from the long-necked jar with narrow mouth

Technique: The stork is skillfully modelled and engraved in silver that has been richly and yet tastefully embellished with gold
accents. See the stork's crest, beak, claws, tale, and the outlines of the wings.

Extra information: It is almost certain that this piece of art started as a decoration for
another, even more, impressive piece. The way the ring to hold it, looks rather simple on first sight but we fully understand and support
the way of thinking of the goldsmith who made it. It respects the original piece of art by a master goldsmith and does not alter it in any way.
That is why we decided to offer it in the same manner as we found it.

Hallmarks: The ring is hallmarked with
the French control mark for 18K gold representing an eagle's head
that was in use in France from about 1838. We couldn't find any hallmarks on the stork.
- (more info on hallmarks)